AN EXTRAORDINARY FUNERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 932, 23 October 1879, Page 2

AN EXTRAORDINARY FUNERAL.

Thbbe are m England several societies whose object is the reform of objectionable praotioes m regard to funeral services. ■ ; 'of these societies appear to hive had a hand m the burial of the clown Billy Walton, who died recently at Fihohley. The funeral § recession was according to Billy's own irection. First rode the ring-master, leading four of the circus ladies m ™ costume. These ladies were followed by the bounding brothers, the, swordswallowers, the . saltimbangoei, the barebacked riders, and the other male performers. ' Then came a dwarf, carrying a black flag, and after him the Barbary ape, Jacko, on a Shetland pony. Jacko was, , m, a suit of sables, and his. 'pony was decked m the trappings of woe. The coffin was borne on an open bier, and on the plate, where the royal cornet should be, were the • motley garments of the down. Two clown colleaguea followed the hearse and filled the position of chief mourners ; they were, chalked, ochred, and dressed as if for performance. The cavalcade was wound up by part of the circus band m ono of the gaudy professional carriages. They played such airs a " Go where glory waits thee," ♦'Down among the dead men, " "In some far sultry clime," . and other gems selected by their deoeased comrade. At the cemetery the. last remains of Billy Walton were laid m the grave, and when the daisy quilt was .snugly spread over him each of his brother r '" clowns turned a somersault over his resting place, and with that, the service concluded.